The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) H.R. 2694 passed the U.S. House of Representatives in September by a vote of 329 to 73. At the time of this writing it is uncertain if the Senate, followed by President Trump’s signature, has passed the PWFA into law. Stakeholder and political will, however, suggests that the PWFA will become law; if not during the 116th Congress, then certainly during the next. OHS pros should prepare for change.
A thorough reading of the House Report on the PWFA1 provides introductory background and federal legislative objectives for this complex topic. The Report is written in language familiar to HR pros. The foundation of the PWFA, however, is based on OHS considerations. OHS pros unfamiliar with pregnancy hazards should prepare by reading Chapter V, Evaluating and Managing The Pregnant Employee, Chapter VI, The Biology of Reproductive and Developmental Hazards, and Chapter X, Occupational Physical Reproductive and Developmental Hazards, that are found in the May 2019 Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center Technical Manual: Reproductive and Developmental Hazards: A Guide for Occupational Health Professionals2.